Beer, I think you hit the nail on the head. The FG-180 was inexpensive and sounded fine.
In fact, like the Taks I currently own, you could get some really GREAT sounding FG-180's if tried enough of them out.
And this was in the days before built-in electronics made them all sound good - on stage.
No question - Martins, Gibsons, Guilds, Taylors, etc. are great guitars, but not everybody can afford one.

Seamus